leading with care - kaleida health...tony giardina, jr. nathan gordon amy habib rittling christopher...

Leading with CARE

The Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation 2014 Board of Directors

Chairman – Richard J. Leugemors

Vice Chair – Pete M. Augustine

Secretary – Alison C. Derrick

Treasurer – Frank L. Ciminelli, II

President – Elsie Dawe

Christopher Alfiero

Kristin Bauer

Mary Grace Bauer

Gerald A. Buchheit, Jr.

Paul Busby

Cash Cunningham

Craig R. Dumbleton

Tony Giardina, Jr.

Nathan Gordon

Amy Habib Rittling

Christopher Kania

Theresa Kazmierczak

Steve LaBella

Sharon M. LaMartina

Jon Maurer

Robert Moore

Acea M. Mosey

Jonathan Notarius

David Parks

John Persons

Bonnie A. Redder

Lawrence F. Robb

James Rosenberg

David C. Schutte

Kenneth R. Slomovitz

Siobhan C. Smith

The Kaleida Health Foundation 2014 Board of Directors

Chairman – Barry S. Swartz

Vice Chair – Angelo A. Veanes

Secretary – Gretchen P. Krackow

Treasurer – Wayne D. Bacon

Robert J. Beck

Scott Fisher

Trudy Jackson-VanAernam

Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz

Michael Newman

David R. Pfaltzgraf, Jr.

Justin Reich

Kevin G. Reilly

Barbara Schifeling

Gary M. Schober

Danielle Shainbrown

Timothy Vaeth

Daniel J. Vecchio, Jr.

Robert Walter

Lawrence V. Whistler

The Foundations of Kaleida Health

MissionAT KALEIDA HEALTH

Our mission is to advance the

health of the community every

day through exceptional care,

education and research.

Cover Photo by Julie Stefaniak

From left to right:Cathy Ducato, RNAnne Seiler, RNDr. Ryan BreuerBrianna PtakDr. Abraar Quraishi Dr. Bree Kramer Dr. Omar Al-Ibrahim Dr. Renee Triplet

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There’s something very unique and special about living in Western New York. My family and I have come to appreciate and treasure this more with each passing year.

From the pleasures and pastimes we experience with the changing of the seasons to the hometown atmosphere and good will of our friends and neighbors, the benefits of living in our community are second to none.

The same is true for Kaleida Health. Every day we are changing lives for the better, offering the full spectrum of care that continuously sets us apart from the rest. We are Leading with Care by striving for excellence each and every day, setting

the standard with a team of caregivers who are expert, compassionate and attentive to your needs.

We are always searching for ways to provide the best of care for the more than one million of our neighbors, families and friends. It is you, our community, that is making this vision possible. Through your time, talent and gifts of good will, we are able to concentrate fully on providing the life-saving medical care you have come to rely on at Kaleida Health.

Today, I invite you to learn about the technology, research and medical techniques that are saving lives, and the very gifted people who are changing the way medical care is provided here and around the world. Stories like these make me proud to be a Western New Yorker and demonstrate how important you are in the care and healing of everyone in our community.

Thank you for being there for us so we can continue to be here for you!

Sincerely,

Jody LomeoPresident and CEO

Message FROM JODY LOMEO

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‘‘Forever Grateful” TO WOMEN & CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

It was November 11, 2014. Our 18-year old daughter Brianna had been ill for a short time with Mononucleosis. It appeared she was not improving, but getting worse. I took her to the Emergency Room at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital where doctors found a ruptured spleen. After successfully clamping the ruptured areas, a CT scan revealed she was experiencing multiple organ failure. I remember them telling me Brianna’s best option was Children’s Hospital.

She was taken by emergency transport to Women & Children’s Hospital where an x-ray revealed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) - inflamed lungs making it impossible for her to breathe. ECMO (Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) was our only option. As the doctor was giving us the news that the lung procedure went well, Brianna went into cardiac arrest. We watched helplessly as doctors performed CPR. First, Dr. Abraar Quraishi and then moments later, Dr. Ryan Breuer ripped a sling off his arm and took over for the exhausted Dr. Quraishi. It is a vision I will never forget and often cry over. With our family surrounding us, we held hands and prayed for a miracle. A few moments later, Dr. Renee Triplet told us Brianna had a pulse and her vitals were coming back!

Just as we began to regain our composure and relax, Brianna’s heart began to fail and again, ECMO was the solution. We were warned of the risks and possibility for a second cardiac arrest and knew this time the outcome could be worse. As a family, we made the decision to have ECMO placed into her heart. She did, in fact, go into cardiac arrest a second time. After what seemed like an eternity, the procedure was complete and Brianna was “stabilized.” More than 40 hours after arriving at Children’s Hospital, our family was able to breathe a small sigh of relief.

I will never forget the first time they allowed us to see Brianna. Her body was traumatized, it had ballooned three to four times her normal size. Her left eye was purple and swollen shut. This was not our beautiful, athletic, strong and healthy daughter! How could this be happening?

My husband and I lived in the PICU for weeks patiently awaiting any sign our daughter would survive. We had little room within her unit to visit. There was a large

‘‘ Losing Brianna was not an option we could accept so we immediately agreed to try ECMO – Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation – a life support machine that would keep our beautiful girl alive. ”

‘‘ Forever Grateful... ”

contraption of a machine outside the unit. Her head was positioned outward with two large tubes running along her face into her carotid artery at the base of her neck. There was a ventilator, several medicine “trees”, IVs, PIC lines, a feeding tube, and two nurses managing both the ECMO machine and vitals around-the-clock. Doctors and nurses would “wake her up” twice a day to test her neurological signs. We lived for these moments! It was an opportunity to talk to her and ask her to perform simple tasks. Blood transfusions, kidney dialysis, chest tubes, and many other medical treatments were necessary to save her young life. It was the scariest and most exceptional thing I had ever seen.

Brianna remained on ECMO for 2 1/2 weeks. Dr. Omar Al-Ibrahim, Dr. Bree Kramer and Dr. James Hereth led the team of fellows, nurse practitioners, residents and nurses during her lengthy recovery. Her nurse, Annie, became a godsend to us. She was a very experienced nurse who seemed to care much for Brianna and she is clearly an expert in her position. As she continued to improve, Brianna became known throughout the hospital as the “Christmas Miracle.” Dr. Omar visited one morning, put his arm around me and said, “Your daughter is becoming quite famous in this hospital.” Brianna was clearly an inspiration to everyone - a ray of hope in the PICU and quite possibly the entire hospital.

During the Christmas season, the Emergency Room staff “adopted” our “deserving family” and presented each of us with gift cards. Our son, Brandon was excited to receive one from GameStop. This young man put aside so much for the love of his sister during this difficult time…while his parents lived in a hospital, his grandmother, Joyce, stayed at our home so he could have some sense of normalcy. Brianna’s Uncle Jay and Aunt Nicole spent almost every day at her bedside as well as Brianna’s dear friend, Sam. All provided the love and support we needed desperately. Her Aunt Jennifer came from Arizona during the first and most difficult week. Uncle Bret and cousins, Bailey and Taylor, provided love and support from afar.

During this time, we were fortunate to meet our now dear friend, Sister Brenda Whelan. Although I cannot remember exactly when we met, I knew she would become a very important part of our lives. I cried, expressed fear, anger and vulnerability to her and never once did I feel judged or embarrassed. She provided a highly needed sense of compassion and humor when we needed it most. Chaplain Betty Divito, social workers Robbie and Mary Beth became an immeasurable support system for our entire family. Nurses Annie, Katie, Jen, Ashley, Lynne, Amanda, Rachelle, Jackie and so many others; ECMO technicians Cathy and Claudia, nursing supervisor Robin Burzynski, and close family and friends — eased the pain and burden during the most difficult times.

Through all of this Brianna survived. Following a two week inpatient stay on the Rehabilitation Unit at ECMC, Brianna is now undergoing outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy. We know she has a long road ahead but after all she went through, we know she is here for a reason and is a blessing and inspiration to everyone around her.

We are forever grateful, Jane Ptak

‘‘ Nurses delivered food, drinks, loving support and updates often. ”

‘‘ Staff from every department in the hospital came to visit and to comfort us. ”

‘‘ Because of ECMO and the incredible staff at Children’s Hospital, Brianna survived. ’’

TO WOMEN & CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Dr. Omar Al-Ibrahim, Chief of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Director of ECMO with Brianna

The ECMO team has been recognized by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) as a Center of Excellence for medical advancement

with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a therapy that provides support to patients with serious heart and lung dysfunction

Total Births 5,462

Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital

2,580

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo

2,882

Visiting Nursing Association

Visiting Nursing Association Referrals 28,770

Visiting Nursing Association Home Visits 469,307

Kaleida Health Lab Procedures

Lab Procedures 2,578,063

Outpatient Clinic Visits


Buffalo General Medical Center & Gates Vascular Institute

Millard Fillmore Suburban HospitalDeGraff Memorial

10,292

94,153

26,559

Surgeries


Outpatient

Inpatient

3,021

9,726


Outpatient

Inpatient

11,298

6,685


Outpatient

Inpatient

11,669

2,513

Admissions




Emergency Room Visits




19,329

21,587

12,779

38,018 11,482

40,83826,254

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2014 Stats AT KALEIDA HEALTH ‘‘ The Value of Excellence ” BY ASHLEY ARTIERI, RN

To Kaleida Health, excellence means that as a team, we pursue exceptional performance with passion. I believe that I carry this value with me at work not only for my patients, but also with my coworkers. It is my opinion that having a great team to work with is just as, if not more important than having the medical knowledge to care for a patient. Not only can you ask for help with others around, but ideas about the direction of care for a patient can also be extremely helpful in a group setting. It is always a great feeling to be working with a group of people who you know care as much as you do about their profession and about the people that you’re caring for. Not only is it important to have help, but also I believe that it is important to be that help for others around you. I do my best everyday to work as a team member for the greatest outcome of the patient.

Another key part to include in this value is that teams are not just isolated to nursing staff either. They extend to other caregivers, practitioners, as well as other departments throughout the hospital. From my own experience, it is easier to collaborate with another group of people when we’re all on the same page about the care and safety of our patients. Patients can tell when their caregivers have passion for what they do and whom they work with. I know that if my loved ones or I needed medical help, I would want a nurse and medical team that cared about my condition and my outcome.

We must all strive for excellence as a team, but the excellence must start within us. My excellence is not only portrayed at work but also through my schooling. Advancing my career is not only my personal goal, but it is also a goal as a caregiver. In my own opinion, the more passionate I am about my profession, the more passionate I will be for those I care for.

Kaleida Health cares about our patients, our staff and our community.

The Nursing Scholarship, established in 2007, is offered to nurses who are taking specialty nursing certification exams or who are furthering their nursing education at local colleges. Ashley is one of the scholarship applicants committed to helping Kaleida Health provide expert, compassionate care to more than one million patients every year. Scholarship requirements include a minimum 3.25 grade point average, a written essay and a recommendation on behalf of their managers.

It’s all about Leading with CARE

Ashley Artieri, RN

‘‘ It is always a great feeling to be working with a group of people who you know care as much as you do about their profession and about the people that you’re caring for. ’’

We all make choices... my choices began when I was a child. I chose medicine because I was inspired by my great uncle Joe who was a doctor. I used to read his old medical textbooks – can you believe that? Years later, I chose to become an OB/GYN because I knew that I was not only helping to bring children into this world, but I was helping their mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters thrive in the long term.

And just this year, I chose to volunteer as Co-Chair of the Festival of Trees with my husband and business partner, Gil Farkash, MD. It’s such a special and FANTASTIC time in history and we are proud to share in the excitement of the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital - a building that will transform how we will treat and serve the women and children in our community.

But, I’m not only a physician I’m also a mother, an aunt, a friend. When I think of how the hospital has touched my life, I can’t help but be grateful:

I’m the mother of two beautiful daughters born at 219 Bryant Street.

I’m an aunt who stood at the side of my newborn niece as she was transferred by ambulance from an outlying hospital because ONLY Women and Children’s Hospital had the heart-lung bypass machine and staff to take care of her. I watched another niece struggle with juvenile diabetes at age six and is today living a healthy life thanks to the Diabetes Clinic.

I’m a friend. I’ve held many dear friends’ hands while their children had appendectomies, tonsillectomies, orthopedic and concussion consultations, among others.

And then there are my patients... A boy I delivered eight years ago with IgG immunodeficiency continues to get monthly infusions today. A 16-year old girl with sudden kidney failure was stable enough to receive a transplant thanks to our expert renal team.

My twin babysitters, born at just 1 lb 5 oz and 2 lbs, received infasurf – a lung treatment developed by Dr. Edmund Egan right here at Children’s Hospital. They grew healthy and strong over three months in the NICU. This is the miracle of Women & Children’s Hospital.

It has been said the test of a society is in how they treat their children. I SAY... the test of our society is how we will build this hospital. And, today, we as a community choose to build a new miracle brick by brick. Each brick will represent the best in patient care and brick by brick we will build a hospital that will represent the shining example of how we care for our children – today and in the future.

Julie Szumigala-Farkash, MD

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In the Spirit of GivingKALEIDA BALL

For their significant and spirited support of Kaleida Health and for helping to improve the health of our community, Kaleida Health and Western New York were proud to pay tribute to Dr. Gary Grosner and Dr. Elad Levy at the 2014 Kaleida Ball. Both have been revolutionizing the way medical care is provided and setting the standard for others to follow here and around the globe.

Gary Grosner, MD is widely respected and known for his desire and ability to bring innovative concepts and treatments to his patients. Words like skillful, brilliant and unbelievable are not unheard of when you speak to his patients, and the ever-echoing “he saved my life” or “he gave me my life back” are commonplace.

His peers consider him one of the best Cardiac surgeons in the region - and country for that matter - when Kaleida Health’s cardiac program was recognized as one of the top 15 in the nation. Dr. Grosner and his colleagues are pleased to be recognized for the revolutionary programs and care they provide every day at the Gates Vascular Institute.

Elad Levy, MD, MBA, is one of the world’s busiest neurosurgeons who guides a team of experts in neurosurgical and stroke care at the Gates Vascular Institute where they treat more strokes than any other facility in New York State. His tireless work at a very young age has resulted in accolades for endless research, publications in peer-reviewed journals and the revolutionary procedures he performs in the operating room. From early morning grand rounds, training the next generation of surgeons or traveling the world to share his knowledge and expertise, Dr. Levy stands out amongst the rest. In 2014, he was named Scientific Planning Chair for the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the largest meeting of neurosurgeons in the world, and was selected section editor for the Journal of Neurosurgery.

Proceeds from the Kaleida Ball fund important programs to assist physicians like Dr. Grosner and Dr. Levy in their innovative work.

In the Spirit of GivingFESTIVAL OF TREES

Kaleida Health salutes Maple-Gate Anesthesiologists, PCKaleida Ball Presenting Sponsor

Kaleida Health President & CEO Jody Lomeo and John Koelmel, Kaleida Health Chairman of the Board with the 2014 Employee Honorees

Marin picks the winner of Tops Gas & Groceries Wayne, Mary and Spencer Bacon

Spirit Award Recipients Gary Grosner, MD and Elad Levy MD, MBA

Dr. Julie Szumigala-Farkash and Dr. Gil Farkash Festival of Trees Co-Chairs

$13.6 million project

10-bed Unit

Located on a new 4th floor above Labor & Delivery Unit

Will be connected via “hub-and-spoke model” with Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, the regional referral center for critically ill newborns

Will Eliminate a need for at-risk newborns to be transported to a separate facility

Completion slated for Fall, 2015

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Important Care Close to Home Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

AT MILLARD FILLMORE SUBURBAN HOSPITAL

Photo by Bill Dorsey

Patrick J. Ucci was no stranger to Western New York. He grew up here, raised a family here, and continued to be an integral part of a community where he knew everyone and everyone knew him. During a recent visit, Pat and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital president, Chris Lane, had a spirited conversation about the community and why it’s so special.

Pat knew, too, how important it is for a community to have the “best care” close by. He and Susan Warren presented Chris with a generous gift for the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. The NICU, currently being built in collaboration with The Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, will be a welcome addition to the location. Expert teams from both facilities will collaborate to bring advanced neonatal care closer to home for Mom and baby.

According to Chris Lane, “with more than 2,500 births annually, we were seeing a great need for this type of advanced care. With the new Unit, we will be positioned to provide the expert care a seriously ill newborn needs without separating them from their mother. We thank Pat and Susan for helping to make this a reality.”

Pat said, it was good to know the “best of everything is right here at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.” He and Susy wanted to make sure the Hospital has everything it needs to take care of moms and their precious newborns.

The gift also pays tribute to Pat’s late sister, Dolores Ucci Kuhn, a long-time friend of Kaleida Health and former Chairperson of the Festival of Trees, the premiere holiday event in Western New York for 37 years.

While Pat will not be able to see the completed Unit, his legacy and name will carry on in support of families in Western New York for generations to come.

The Unit is scheduled to open in Fall, 2015

Patrick J. Ucci, Susan Warren and Chris Lane

Models at the Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Women’s Board Fashion Show - an event to benefit the NICU

Raising the final steel beam

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Don & Barbara Newman had the opportunity to hear from the experts who will be utilizing a very important piece of medical equipment made possible through their personal donation in honor of Kurt VonFricken, MD.

During a visit to the Gates Vascular Institute and Buffalo General Medical Center, the medical team was on hand to personally thank the Newmans for their gift and demonstrate how the Mediastinoscope will positively impact patient care and the Thoracic Service line at Buffalo General Medical Center.

According to Jeff Holt, Vice President of Clinical Services for Buffalo General Medical Center, Gates Vascular Institute and Women & Children’s Hospital, “many of the invasive and minimally invasive procedures performed by Kaleida Health heart specialists employ the most recent innovations in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Equipment like video-assisted mediastinoscopy (VAM) significantly improves our patient experience by providing magnified views, enhanced accuracy and cutting-edge technology for education of residents and fellows. With VAM, we now have the most advanced technology to diagnose our patients and assist our physicians in their care and treatment.”

The equipment arrived just prior to Dr. VonFricken’s deployment to Afghanistan where he served for 90 days in a 20-person emergency combat surgical unit. The Newmans were compelled to honor Dr. VonFricken after personally experiencing his ‘‘genuine kindness and compassion toward his patients.”

Donation Honors Physician & Cardiac Program

AT KALEIDA HEALTH

The cardiac surgery program at the Gates Vascular Institute (GVI) is ranked in the top 2% in the nation by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and is one of the top 15 in the nation for cardiac surgery

Members of our cardiac team are actively involved in national clinical trials and work tirelessly to discover new and better ways to treat patients

Some of the many cardiac “medical firsts” at the GVI include:

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

• Cryoablation

• Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor

• Corindus CorPath

For more information, visit our website at www.kaleidahealth.org

Heart surgery remains an effective treatment for many conditions of the heart that cannot be corrected by medication or lifestyle changes to manage heart attack risks. Kaleida Health’s cardiac surgeons are experts in diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions and our facilities are modern and equipped with the most state-of-the-art technology available.

From left, Damon Denton, Barbara Newman, Pichapony Tunsupon, Kurt VonFricken, MD, Jeffrey Holt, Donald Newman and Jerry Mazurkiewicz

Cardiac Team, recognized top 15 in nation

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Education Forums

Visit our website at: www.kaleidahealth.org/foundations for more information

Philanthropy plays a major role in keeping Kaleida Health at the forefront in medicine by supporting ground-breaking research, progressive technology and some of the most innovative medicine in the country being performed right here in Buffalo, New York. Medical Education Forums offer an opportunity for Western New Yorkers to meet Kaleida’s medical pioneers up close and personal and to hear firsthand how philanthropic support is impacting the health of people here in our neighborhoods and around the world.

In the Spotlight in 2014

Chee Kim, MD, FACC, Electrophysiologist, performed the first Cardiac Cryoablation in Western New York at the Gates Vascular Institute. Cryoablation is a new, minimally invasive therapy used to treat patients with atrial fibrillation - a heart rhythm disorder

Robert J. Plunkett, MD, Neurosurgeon, demonstrated the cutting-edge technology of Deep Brain Stimulation equipment and its immediate, positive effects on patients with parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, essential tremor and other neurological conditions

Elad Levy, MD, MBA, Co-Director, Kaleida Health Stroke Center, Director Toshiba Neuroendovascular Catheterization Lab at the GVI and Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo provided an overview of the revolutionary neurological procedures and comprehensive vascular care available at the Gates Vascular Institute

Vijay Iyer, MD, PhD, FACC, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Director of the TAVR Program at Buffalo General Medical Center where the first Transcathether Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure was performed in Western New York. TAVR, a new aortic valve replacement procedure gives cardiac patients, previously deemed inoperable, a life-altering option for treatment of aortic stenosis

Colin McMahon, MD Chief Medical Officer at Buffalo General Medical Center provided a glimpse into the life-changing technology utilized in the Emergency Command Center and onboard Emergency transport vehicles. EKG equipment, made possible through community support, now enables vital information to be transmitted via helicopter or ambulance directly to the Emergency Room

Robert Plunkett, MD during the Forum on Deep Brain Stimulation

Education Forum presenter Colin McMahon, MD (left) with guests from Ferguson Electric, Jeff Lattimer, Angelo Veanes and Paul Reilly

Chee Kim, MD, FACC

The Schreiber family and Northtown Automotive Companies lend their support to the Kaleida Health signature golf tournaments in a big way sponsoring the Hole-in-One competition each year. Every once in a while, something extraordinary happens – or maybe it can happen twice. In 2014, amateur golfer

Rich Krieger, shown above with Northtown President, Larry Schreiber, sank a hole-in-one, the second time for Pro/Am participants. Rich took ownership of a brand new Lexus made possible through a partnership between Northtown Lexus and Children’s Hospital that has spanned 30 years.

‘‘ To say events are important to Kaleida Health

might be an understatement. They are the

foundation upon which many of our institutions

were built and many generations later, we continue

to rely on the talents and ingenuity of community

volunteers to sustain and grow events. ” Golf TournamentsIn 2014, amateur golfer Richard Krieger won big at the Pro/Am Tournament at Park Country Club by sinking a hole-in-one to win a brand new Lexus. This wasn’t the first time, either. In 2003, a hole-in-one was also recorded by one Thomas “Butch” Kreuz during the Pro/Am at Crag Burn Club to win a Lexus SUV. It was noted that Butch was playing with Northtown President, Larry Schreiber at the time.

Special features like this add a unique touch to keep our events exciting from year to year. We are proud to recognize the organizations, businesses and individuals who give of themselves to make the difference at Kaleida Health. The community wins big too! Proceeds from events held throughout the year are invested directly toward the mission of patient care and offer an ongoing source of funding to provide the most advanced technology and equipment our caregivers need to save lives.

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Winning Big

Photo taken at 2003 Pro/Am Tournament features the first Lexus Hole-in-One winner Thomas “Butch” Kreuz

Miracle Child Ava accepted the donation from the Creekview Cares Golf Tournament. Special thanks to Board Member

and Creekview Owner David Schutte

Foundation Board Member and Delaware North Executive, Tony Giardina with his corporate

guests at the Tournament Pre Party

Pro/Am Golf Tournament Winning Foursome - Anthony Habib, Walter McFarlane, Brian Kumiega

and Chris Swiatek - PGA Pro Kirk Stauffner

Kaleida Classic Morning Flight Winners - Tod Martin, Dudley Hart, Peter Marlette and

Rich Krieger

Kaleida Classic Afternoon Flight Winners - John Zygaj, Jay Sienicki, John Pattie &

David PawlowskiPro/Am Tournament Greens Sponsors - Chris Koch, New Era

Cap and Tony Giardina, Delaware North Companies

Our son, Ashton R. Smith was born on December 18, 2009 to Marion R. and Alisa J. Smith of Salamanca, New York. At six weeks old, he became ill with RSV and pneumonia. Ashton was in critical condition, but was unable to be flown to Buffalo because of an ice storm. The Hospital sent a specialized emergency team to transport him by ambulance to Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo where he stayed for over two months.

February 11, 2010 proved to be one of the hardest days for us. While in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Ashton suffered respiratory failure and cardiac arrest which led him to be put on life support – ECMO or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - for six days. He was not expected to make it through the night and we sat with him. He lived.

Ashton was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy with significant brain damage. Through the many doctor visits and therapies he received over the last few years, he made great strides.

Then, on October 14, 2014, Ashton received Stem Cell Treatment at Duke University, North Carolina. As a result, Ashton has been thriving mentally and physically – to the point where he has started to walk. He is now 5 years old and continues to improve every day.

Little Ashton Smith is one of the many miracles of Buffalo’s Women and Children’s Hospital. He’s our hero!

Fourteen-year old Carson Dayka has been a patient at Women & Children’s Hospital for much of his young life. He has been hospitalized nearly 100 times, endured more than 15 surgeries and continues to be treated by the pediatric specialists at Women & Children’s Hospital today. Carson is like family to Hospital workers and patients alike. He was one of the very first members to join Stone’s Buddies - a network of resources, support and friendship for children with chronic illness. Carson has been through a lot and is wise beyond his years. He wanted to help other children. At a very young age he began hosting an annual Ice Cream Social to raise money for Stone’s Buddies. As donations began to exceed the $10,000 mark – yes we said $10,000 – Carson decided it was time to create the “Carson Dayka Travel Fund” for Stone’s Buddies.

This fund is designed to help families

with expenses like transportation and

accommodations when they require

out-of-town travel for medical

treatment and referrals. Carson

also provides a convenient

travel package to assist the

families with hotel information,

local maps, nearby restaurants

and activities. The Carson Dayka

Travel Fund also assists families

who must travel long distances to

Buffalo for extended hospital stays.

It was through the Carson Dayka Travel

Fund the Smith family was able to travel to Duke

University Hospital to receive the life-changing

treatment Ashton needed. According to Stone’s

Buddies Director, Joanne Lana, “children like

Carson are real life heroes – they reach out to others

in need in ways we cannot easily comprehend,

and they make this world a better place for us all.”

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Stone’s Buddies

Buffalo Sabre Mike Weber during the annual Sabres sponsored holiday party

The Buffalo Bills Toyota Rookie Club makes Women & Children’s an annual

stop during the holiday season

Sometimes, dreams do come true

Buffalo Sabre Cody McCormick with a Stone’s Buddies family

Happiness abounds during Buffalo Bills Rookie Club visit

DiVal Safety representatives made holiday wishes come true for Stone’s Buddies families

Kaleida Health and Women & Children’s Hospital are inspired by The Buffalo News as each year they host Buffalo News Kids Day to “raise money for expert care provided to local youngsters at Women & Children’s Hospital.”

More than 3,000 volunteers hit the streets with a special “Kids Day” edition featuring inspirational stories and photos of children and families. Proceeds from the sale, over $4.3 million dollars since its inception 32 years ago, has provided much-needed support for Women & Children’s Hospital and the Robert Warner MD Center for Children with Special Needs.

Recently, The Buffalo News extended its support to help build the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. Thanks for being here for Kids.

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Youngest Heroes KIDS HELPING KIDS

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

We wanted to know if it’s true - so we searched the neighborhoods of Western New York and found our answer. There were dozens of Lemonade Stands filled with children of all ages – some as young as two or three – selling lemonade to help “kids” at Women and Children’s Hospital.

Matthew and Mia Schroeder wanted to “give back” and thank the doctors and nurses for taking care of Matthew when he underwent brain surgery at Women & Children’s Hospital.

Olivia Stoddard and her friend Bradley wanted to make sure their gift helps other children.

The Children of Heatherwood Drive — Aidan, Liam and Quinn Brody, Sarah Jancewicz and Sydney Zaifert — heard about the new Children’s Hospital to be built and wanted to help.

Every year, thousands of young ambassadors think up creative ways to help patients at Women & Children’s Hospital, providing gifts of comfort and hope – like crafts, boom boxes, gift cards, stuffed animals, games and gadgets as well as essential items a patient and family might not have with them. Events are held in schools, churches, neighborhoods and private homes where important dollars are raised and friendships are made. We at Kaleida Health are proud to salute these young, talented and generous who give of themselves to make the difference.

Be InspiredBUFFALO NEWS KIDS DAY SUPPORTS VARIETY KIDS TELETHON

Clarice Fromholt donated hand-made blankets

Emily Bunch donates to Miles for Smiles on her birthday Ashley DiChristina “Rocks the Rooms”

Heatherwood Drive Lemonade Stand

Behind the Scenes at the Variety Kids Telethon Allegra Jaros and Jody Lomeo join Team Kaleida on “Buffalo News Kids Day”

Hats off to Telethon Celebrity, Terry Buchwald with special Telethon guests John, Joseph and Vincent Lomeo

Thanks to Kids Day Sponsor, Tops Friendly Markets

Every day in North America, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital is working to save children’s lives. In fact, 62 children enter a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital for treatment every minute — that’s one child every second. These kids aren’t in faraway countries or from opposite sides of the nation — they are right here in our community at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

Whether they suffer from common childhood afflictions like asthma and broken bones, or fight bigger challenges like birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals always have their doors open, providing comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids. The Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo has been a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital since 1988.

Children’s Miracle NetworkA REASON TO GIVE THANKS FOR OUR LOCAL CMN PARTNERS

Ace Hardware Corp.

Carmike Cinemas

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

Combined Federal Campaign

Co-op Financial Services

Credit Union For Kids

Dairy Queen Corporation

Extra Life

First Financial USA

FirstGroup America

Great Clips, Inc.

IHOP Restaurants

Kiss Cares for Kids Radiothon

LIDS

Log A Load

Marriott International, Inc.

Miracle Jeans Day

Miss America Organization

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

RE/MAX, LLC

Rite Aid Corporation

Sam’s Club

Sunoco, Inc.

Tops Friendly Markets

UB Dance Marathon

Walmart Stores, Inc.

Being Part of...SOMETHING BIG — CMN SPONSORS...

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Every day, CMN member hospitals treat thousands of children in Emergency Rooms

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo treats more than 40,000 children in the Emergency Room every year - that’s about 100 children every day

U.S. member Hospitals provide about $3.4 billion in charity care each year

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo provides more than $1.1 million in charity care each year

Every day, CMN member hospitals provide specialized surgery for children

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo performs more than 14,000 surgeries every year – that’s about 54 every day

www.cmn.org

Chief of Neurosurgery, Veetai Li, MD honors Kiss Cares for Kids Radiothon

Buffalo Bills star, Sammy Watkins with Nicholas Picholas and Janet Snyder

The team from First Student

Former Buffalo Sabre and commentator, Rob Ray celebrates with the #1 Wal-Mart # 1949

Tops Celebrity Putting Contest - a time-honored tradition

DEEDS OF GIVINGWomen’s Boards & Auxiliaries

Hats off to the women and men, more than 600 strong, who make up the Volunteer Boards represented at each of the Kaleida Health facilities. Since our founding, we have relied on the generosity and spirit of volunteers to lend their hand of help in providing our institutions with the resources essential to carrying out our daily mission.

Today, this spirit continues with members giving of their time, talents and energy in service and support.

Their shops provide an array of wonderful gifts and necessities, hand chosen and displayed with an eye keen on the shopper.

AMBASSADORS

They are ambassadors for the cause hosting fund raising events like Tee Off for Tots, an annual Fashion Show, the Birthday Bed Fund, a luncheon or a membership tea. They give untold hours and are there to offer a welcome smile and words of encouragement at any time day or night.

Their mark is indelible on the institutions they serve and the people with whom they work. To Kaleida Health’s mission, they are essential, giving of themselves unselfishly for something they believe in so strongly. In 2014, the volunteer boards and auxiliaries were responsible for generating thousands of hours in time and more than $420,000 in direct support. Amazing.

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‘‘ Volunteers are essential to Leading with CARE and the patient experience. ”Kathy Gorski, Manager of Volunteers Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospitial

HighPointe on Michigan Women’s Board

The Women’s Board of Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo

HighPointe on Michigan Women’s Board, a Tee Off for Tots Presenting Sponsor

The WCHOB Women’s Board members

Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Women’s Board

The DeGraff Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

TWIG – Together with Individual Goals

Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Officers - Joyce Lenda, President, Barbara Utter, Sue Hemedinger, Judy Huber & Janet Marino

The DeGraff Auxiliary Annual Membership Tee

TWIGs – continuing their support of Women & Children’s Hospital

This photo, taken by Women & Children’s Hospital Medical Photographer, Julie Stefaniak, was selected for inclusion in the Children’s Hospitals Photo Exhibit, a national competition administered by the Children’s Hospital Association.

Stefaniak’s winning photo entitled, “Super Hero” was chosen from more than 250 photographs submitted by 57 children’s hospitals across the country. According to the judges, the photograph stood out for its all-around excellence, composition and ability to relay what makes children’s hospitals unique.

We are pleased to be able to share these exciting stories with you. 2014 was also a record year in philanthropic support for the Foundations of Kaleida Health. While the staff at Kaleida Health has been leading with CARE, the generosity of the community has helped make the difference. Please visit our website at www.kaleidahealth.org/foundations for a complete list of all of our partners in healthcare.

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You Make the Difference

www.kaleidahealth.org/foundations

Photography by

Doug Hanes

Julie Stefaniak

Rick Warne

A PuBLICATION OF

THe FOunDaTiOnS OF KaleiDa HealTH

Kaleida HealtH Foundation

Women & CHildren’s Hospital oF BuFFalo Foundation

in support oF

Adult Day Services

Buffalo General Medical Center

DeGraff Memorial Hospital

Gates Vascular Institute

HighPointe on Michigan

Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital


Visiting Nursing Association

leading with care - kaleida health...tony giardina, jr. nathan gordon amy habib rittling christopher...

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